“Keep working!! We don’t pay you for nothin'!!”.
But everyone stood still, staring at their lifeless coworker.
“I SAID GET BACK TO WORK!! Got what It had comin'. You know the rules” said the Supervisor while firmly grasping a bloodied pick axe.
Suddenly a voice shouted, “we’re starving!! He only did what the rest of us want to!! We can’t keep working if we’re skin and bones!” said a young Boy.
Tightening his fist the Supervisor turned around and slowly walked towards his rebellious employee. His steps shook the ground due to his enormous size.
“Please have mercy! He’s a foolish young boy!! It won’t happen again!! Please, he’s my only child. I BEG YOU” cried the Boy’s Mother.
“Stupid and loud is a bad combination. But don’t worry, I’ll teach your boy some manners”.
Harshly pushing the crying Mother aside the Supervisor looked at the Boy, who became enraged at the sight of his poor Mother.
Facing each other, they cautiously circled. Pick axe versus pitchfork. Tall versus small. The onlookers wide-eyed with excitement! Blows were struck! Weapons flung! Jabs evaded!
In the end the Boy was too small, too hungry, and too weak.
The Supervisor towered over his defeated enemy and grabbed the Boy by the throat and pulled close, “you talk too much”.
Pulling a knife from his pocket, the Supervisor forced the Boy’s mouth open and sliced off his tongue. “Drip, drip, drip,” went the drops of blood streaming from the knife.
“There. That’s better. Peace and quiet soothes the soul! Now, YOU PEASANTS GET BACK TO WORK! The Harvest is comin'!!” said the smiling Supervisor.
Everyone quickly gathered their tools and set about their work. Meanwhile, two guards carried off the unconscious boy with his mother silently in-tow. The workers began their heaving and hoeing while sweat and tears were shed. The only sound was the whistling of the wind as it blew steadily through the solemn field.
EPILOGUE.
The Boy's name is Kalven; he and his mother are just one of many “low value” people trapped in the Keeper's firm grasp. Low value citizens are the spine and “dirt” of humanity. Typically underfed and underpaid. "The Harvest" is one of the annual religious ceremonies in which humans are forced to offer tithes to, “The Sou Lords”. Beings of immense power and the most evolved of the Keepers. In ancient times humanity was said to be domesticated by grains and plants, now we are slaves to them.